The Minnesota Vikings had seven representatives at this year’s NFL Pro Bowl Games, and two of those players figure to be top free agent flight risks.
The Vikings have 25 pending free agents in total, and quarterback Sam Darnold tops the list. Minnesota would love to have their 2024 starter back for at least another year, but with a projected market value of over $40 million per season, it appears the franchise tag (a lever neither party wants to pull) is the only realistic path forward.
Byron Murphy Jr. should rank as a close second behind Darnold for Minnesota, as the former No. 33 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals is projected to earn No. 1 cornerback money on the open market. What will be the 27-year-old’s third NFL contract could top $22 million in average annual value, per Spotrac.
As a team short on draft capital entering the new league year, the Vikings figure to be aggressive once again in free agency. They do have other important free agents, though — like safety Cam Bynum and running back Aaron Jones — and some major upgrades are needed at interior lineman on both sides of the football.
NFL analyst Marcus Mosher of the 33rd Team believes Darnold and Murphy Jr. will leave Minnesota to sign mega contracts this offseason. He also named the New York Giants as a potential suitor for both players, saying this of each:
The Giants need a quarterback, and unless they trade up from the No. 3 spot, there’s no guarantee that their guy will be there in April’s NFL Draft. Going in on Darnold comes with some risk, as the fanbase is done being patient and Darnold is far from a proven commodity. But at Mosher’s projection of three years, $120 million, Darnold would be a fine veteran stop-gap for a team looking to eventually draft and develop their next guy behind him.
The Giants also have a clear need at cornerback, and Murphy Jr. has the positional flexibility to play either in the slot or on the boundary. Mosher’s contract projection of around $16 million per season would be team-friendly, especially with cheaper starters on the depth chart like Deonte Banks and Dru Phillips.
It’s unlikely that the Giants land both of these players, as the Darnold hypothetical feels like a stretch. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see GM Joe Schoen make a statement to kick-off free agency after another brutal year for New York.
